Clock Switching Circuit for Accurate Low-Power Signal Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic devices require two external crystal oscillators, leading to high hardware costs and inefficient power consumption, despite providing accurate clock signals.
Innovation Solution
A clock switching architecture that utilizes a single crystal oscillator and a switching circuit to select between two oscillating signals based on a status signal, allowing for reduced hardware costs and power consumption while maintaining clock accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If two crystal oscillators are used to provide accurate clock signals for different applications, then clock accuracy is improved, but hardware cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic switching mechanism that selects between two oscillators based on operational mode. The switching circuit receives control signals to dynamically connect either the first oscillator (for low-frequency applications) or the second oscillator (for high-frequency applications) to the clock input, allowing the system to adapt oscillator selection to current needs rather than requiring both oscillators to be permanently connected
Solution Approach 2:
The single crystal oscillator in the patent is designed to serve multiple functions by switching between different operational modes. Through the switching circuit, the same oscillator can provide clock signals for both low-frequency applications (such as RTC) and high-frequency applications (such as processor clocking), making it a multi-functional component that replaces what would traditionally require two dedicated oscillators
2Adaptability or versatility
If two crystal oscillators are used to provide clock signals for different applications, then functional versatility is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic switching circuit that activates only the necessary oscillator based on the current operational mode. When in low-frequency mode, only the first oscillator is active; when in high-frequency mode, only the second oscillator is active. This dynamic selection prevents both oscillators from running simultaneously, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining functional versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The system periodically switches between different oscillator configurations based on operational requirements. The switching circuit is controlled by mode selection signals that periodically change the connection configuration, allowing the system to transition between low-power and high-performance states as needed, thus optimizing power consumption across different operational phases
Data Source
AI summary
A clock generator utilized for providing a clock signal includes: a first oscillator and a switching circuit. The switching circuit is coupled to the first oscillator and a second oscillator, and utilized for receiving a first oscillating signal generated from the first oscillator and a second oscillating signal generated from the second oscillator, and selecting one of the first oscillating signal and the second oscillating signal as the clock signal according to a status signal.